Switchfoot - 'Fading West' Album Review

With ten years having gone by since Switchfoot's mega-hits, "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move," one has to wonder if the title of their 2014 release, Fading West, is a metaphor for "fading into the sunset" or if it's just a catchy title meant to push listeners to follow the sun (or Son) in search of the perfect _____ (fill in the blank). It's a valid question for any band that has been around for a decade or more and for Switchfoot, known as Christian rock stars to those of faith and spiritual guys who make music that isn't preachy to those who aren't, the answer lies with the listener. From the dusky "BA55," with its crazy bass lines to the far-reaching anthem, " The World You Want," there is plenty to adore even if some production moves leave room for head-scratching.

Jon Foreman's vocal chops, usually front and center, seem to take a backseat driver approach on the project. Not quite competing with the effects found on the album, they do seem to be less prominent and the outcome seems to pack less of a punch (Jon vs. Jon-light).

So if you adore the raw, unprocessed Jon of yester-year, you may end up being disappointed. However, if you like an evenly blended, more pop sound, you're in for a real treat.

GENRE: Christian Pop/rock
RECORD LABEL: Atlantic Records
RELEASE DATE: January 14, 2014
TRACKS: 11

Fading West Track List:

1. Love Alone Is Worth The Fight
2. Who We Are
3. When We Come Alive
4. Say It Like You Mean It
5. The World You Want
6. Slipping Away
7. BA55
8. Let It Out
9. All of Nothing at All
10. Saltwater Heart
11. Back to the Beginning Again
    
    

STAND OUT TRACKS:

• Say It Like You Mean It
  
• All Or Nothing At All
  
• The World You Want